Nine launches dedicated longform current affairs and investigations unit – Nine today announced a significant expansion of its commitment to in-depth journalism with the official launch of a new, dedicated Longform Current Affairs and Investigations Unit.
The initiative will be spearheaded by one of Nine’s most accomplished producers, Kirsty Thomson, who steps into an expanded role as Head of the new unit, alongside her existing responsibilities as Executive Producer of the flagship program 60 Minutes.
The newly formed unit aims to provide a powerful platform for comprehensive storytelling, allowing Nine’s acclaimed news and current affairs teams across Australia to delve deeper into compelling national and international issues. This move formalises a highly successful trial period under Thomson’s leadership, which has already seen the creation of innovative content and a fresh approach to longform production.
Fiona Dear, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, said:
“This strategic investment in our news teams underscores our unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and builds upon our clear strength in longer-form, more in-depth stories.
“By leveraging the company’s unrivalled scale and diversity we can access ideas and content from our award-winning journalists across both 9News and Nine’s publishing mastheads and deliver it to our audiences across our streaming and broadcast platforms.”
“We recognised a clear need to provide a space where important stories can be explored with the depth and nuance they deserve. In today’s fast-paced news cycle, the ability to dedicate resources to longer, more investigative pieces is crucial. Under Kirsty’s leadership, this unit is poised to deliver impactful content that informs, engages and sets the agenda.”
A standout success from the unit’s trial phase is The Brief, a digital-first brand that has already produced 20 episodes. These have tackled some of the most significant global and domestic stories in recent months, including the Clare Nowland investigation, the mystery surrounding the death of Gene Hackman, Chinese warships in Australian waters, the devastating Los Angeles fires, Jailed in Japan – the Donna Nelson story, and extensive coverage of former US President Donald Trump.
Beyond The Brief, the unit has also produced ten one-hour documentaries and has fostered collaborations with Stan, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age on an additional four documentary projects, showcasing its versatility and reach. Several more programs are already in production.
Kirsty Thomson, Head of the new Longform Current Affairs and Investigations Unit, expressed her enthusiasm for the new venture:
“I’m incredibly excited to lead this new unit and build on the fantastic momentum we’ve already established. The opportunity to delve deeper into compelling narratives, uncover new perspectives, and collaborate with Nine’s exceptional talent nationwide is immense. We’re passionate about pushing creative boundaries and delivering high-quality, longform journalism that captures the stories shaping Australia and the world. This unit is about empowering our journalists and production teams to pursue those stories that demand more time and a different lens, ensuring we can bring the full picture to our audience.”
The genesis of the unit stemmed from the understanding that the constraints of daily news production can sometimes limit the scope of storytelling. This initiative is designed to ensure that compelling material and complex narratives receive the comprehensive treatment they warrant, reaching a wider audience on multiple platforms. Ideas for longform projects have already emerged from all corners of Nine’s News and Current Affairs division.
As part of Nine’s broader News Transformation project, there is also a focus on unlocking the network’s vast archives, making historical footage and resources more accessible to enrich future storytelling.
Fiona Dear added:
“With the incredible skill set of our producers, camera operators, editors, and our proximity to the greatest news brands in the world, I believe the possibilities for expansion and ownership of the news longform space are enormous.”
The Longform Current Affairs and Investigations Unit is set to become a cornerstone of Nine’s news output, promising more groundbreaking investigations and compelling documentaries for Australian audiences.
Media Release – Nine
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Nine launches dedicated longform current affairs and investigations unit
